SAWM, Volunteers Keep Shawano Lake Buoys Afloat and Boaters Safe

SHAWANO, WI- Ever wonder who maintains the 107 buoys on Shawano Lake and Channel? It’s the Shawano Area Waterways Management (SAWM) and its dedicated volunteers—funded by community members like you. Every spring and fall, SAWM places and removes navigation, slow-no-wake, and channel buoys to keep boaters safe. They recently spent $32,000 to maintain an inventory of buoys, each costing about $490, not including anchors, chains, fuel, and volunteer time. These buoys help mark safe boating paths, control speeds in busy areas, and guide travel between the lake and the Wolf River. Unfortunately, about 10% of the buoys are lost each year.